County Cavan

{{Short description|County in Ireland}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=July 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox settlement |name = County Cavan |native_name = {{lang|ga|Contae an Chabháin}} |settlement_type = [[Counties of Ireland|County]] |native_name_lang = ga |image_shield = Arms of County Cavan.svg |image_flag = | motto = {{force singular}} {{langx|ga|Feardhacht is Fírinne}} "Manliness and Truth" |nickname = The Breffni County |image_map = |unit_pref = metric |elevation_max_m = 665 |elevation_max_point = [[Cuilcagh]] |area_total_km2 = 1932 |area_rank = [[List of Irish counties by area|19th]] |area_footnotes = <ref name="CavanStats">{{cite web | url = http://www.cso.ie/en/studentscorner/statisticalfactsaboutyourcounty/cavan/ | title = Students Corner – Stats Facts about your County – Cavan | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)]] | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111119131442/http://cso.ie/studentscorner/statsfactscavan.htm | archive-date = 19 November 2011}}</ref> |seat_type = [[County town]] |seat = [[Cavan Town|Cavan]] |blank_name_sec1 = [[Vehicle registration plates of Ireland|Vehicle index mark code]] |blank_info_sec1 = CN |established_title = Established |established_date = [[East Breifne#Formation of County Cavan|21 August 1579]] |subdivision_type = [[Sovereign state|Country]] |subdivision_name = [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Ireland|Province]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Ulster]] |subdivision_type2 = [[NUTS statistical regions of Ireland|Region]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Northern and Western Region|Northern and Western]] |population_total = 81704 |population_density_km2 = auto |population_footnotes = <ref name=cso2022>{{cite web | title = Census Mapping – Cavan County Council | url = https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C03789V04537&guid=2ae19629-149d-13a3-e055-000000000001 | work = [[2022 census of Ireland|Census 2022]] | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)|Central Statistics Office]] | access-date = 9 January 2024}}</ref> |population_rank = [[List of Irish counties by population|25th]] |population_as_of = [[2022 census of Ireland|2022]] |leader_title = [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|Local authority]] |leader_name = [[Cavan County Council]] |leader_title2 = [[Dáil constituency]] |leader_name2 = [[Cavan–Monaghan]] |leader_title3 = [[European Parliament constituencies in the Republic of Ireland|EP constituency]] |leader_name3 = [[Midlands–North-West]] |website = {{official website}} |timezone = [[Western European Time|WET]] |utc_offset = ±0 |timezone_DST = [[Irish Standard Time|IST]] |utc_offset_DST = +1 |area_code_type = [[Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland|Telephone area codes]] |area_code = 042, 049 (primarily) |postal_code_type = [[Eircode]] routing keys |postal_code = A82, H12, H14, H16 (primarily) | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 8 |iso_code = IE-CN }} '''County Cavan''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|æ|v|ən}} {{respell|KAV|ən}}; {{langx|ga|Contae an Chabháin}}) is a [[Counties of Ireland|county]] in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. It is in the [[Provinces of Ireland|province]] of [[Ulster]] and is part of the [[Northern and Western Region]]. It is named after the town of [[Cavan]] and is based on the historic [[Gaelic Ireland|Gaelic]] territory of [[East Breifne|East Breffny]] (''Bréifne'').<ref>Hayward, Richard. ''Ulster and the City of Belfast''. Arthur Barker Ltd., 1950. p. 234.</ref><ref>Shearman, Hugh. ''Ulster''. Robert Hale Limited, 1949. p. 393.</ref> [[Cavan County Council]] is the [[Local government in the Republic of Ireland|local authority]] for the county, which had a population of 81,704 at the 2022 census.<ref name=cso2022/>

==Geography== Cavan borders six counties: [[County Leitrim|Leitrim]] to the west, [[County Fermanagh|Fermanagh]] to the north, [[County Monaghan|Monaghan]] to the north-east, [[County Meath|Meath]] to the south-east, [[County Longford|Longford]] to the south-west and [[County Westmeath|Westmeath]] to the south. Cavan shares a {{convert|70|km|mi|abbr=on}} border with [[County Fermanagh]] in [[Northern Ireland]]. Cavan is the 19th largest of the 32 counties in area and the 25th largest by population.<ref>{{cite book| first=Eoghan| last=Corry| title=The GAA Book of Lists| publisher=Hodder Headline Ireland| year=2005| pages=186–191}}</ref> [[File:Loughter.JPG|thumb|left|[[Lough Oughter]]]]

The county is part of the [[Northern and Western Region]], a [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS]] II area, and in that region, is part of the [[Border Region|Border strategic planning area]], a NUTS III entity.

The county is characterised by [[drumlin]] countryside dotted with many lakes and hills. The north-western area of the county is sparsely populated and mountainous. The Cuilcagh mountain range contain the highest point, [[Cuilcagh]], at {{convert|665|m|ft|abbr=off}}.

Cavan is the source of many rivers. [[Shannon Pot]] on the slopes of Cuilcagh is the source of the [[River Shannon]], the longest river in Ireland at {{convert|386|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The [[River Erne]] is a major river which rises from Beaghy Lough, two miles (3 km) south of [[Stradone, County Cavan|Stradone]] in Cavan and flows for {{convert|120|km|mi|abbr=on}} to [[Lough Erne]]. Other rivers in the county include the [[River Blackwater, Cavan and Meath|Blackwater River]], which rises near Bailieborough and flows through [[Lough Ramor]], joining the [[River Boyne]] at Navan; [[River Dee, County Louth|the Dee]] which springs near [[Bailieborough]]; the [[River Annalee]] which flows from [[Lough Sillan]] and joins the Erne; and the [[River Cladagh (Swanlinbar)|Cladagh]] river which rises from Cuilcagh and flows into [[County Fermanagh|Fermanagh]]. The [[River Glyde|Glyde]] and the [[River Owenroe|Owenroe]] also source in Cavan.

Cavan is known as 'The Lakeland County' and is reputed to contain 365 lakes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisiscavan.ie/fun/article/knocknalosset-it-stays-with-you|title=Knocknalosset – it stays with you!|work=thisiscavan.ie|access-date=13 June 2015|archive-date=14 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614171603/http://www.thisiscavan.ie/fun/article/knocknalosset-it-stays-with-you|url-status=live}}</ref> A 2021 book by local photographer Hu O'Reilly listed and photographed the 365 lakes.<ref>{{cite news |author=Hu O'Reilly |title=Making a real splash in print |url=https://www.anglocelt.ie/2021/10/24/making-a-real-splash-in-print/ |date=24 October 2021 |work=[[The Anglo-Celt]] |access-date=28 March 2026}}</ref> At {{convert|18.8|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, [[Lough Sheelin]] is the county's largest lake; it is situated in the south of the county and forms a three way border on its waters between counties Meath, Westmeath and Cavan.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.shannon-fishery-board.ie/guides/game/lough-sheelin.htm |title=Shannon regional Fishers Board |access-date=25 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721121220/http://www.shannon-fishery-board.ie/guides/game/lough-sheelin.htm |archive-date=21 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> A large complex of lakes form in the north and west of Cavan into designated Specially Protected Areas (SPA); an example is [[Lough Oughter]]. Other important wildlife protected lakes such as [[Lough Gowna]] and [[Lough Ramor]] are in the south and east of the county. Cavan has a mainly hilly (drumlin) landscape and contains just under {{convert|7000|ha|acre|abbr=off}} of forested area, 3.6% of Cavan's total land area. The county contains forests such as Bellamont Forest near [[Cootehill]], [[Killykeen Forest Park]] at Lough Oughter (a Coillte state forest concern), [[Dún na Rí Forest Park]] and the Burren Forest.

=== Climate === {{See also|Climate of Ireland}} {{climate chart|Ballyhaise, Cavan |1.7|8.0|78 |1.9|7.7|68 |2.7|9.5|66 |3.7|11.8|58 |6.0|14.8|57 |10.6|17.2|57 |12.1|19.1|59 |11.7|18.7|89 |8.5|16.3|58 |6.4|12.9|98 |3.4 |9.4|68 |2.5|7.6|76 | source = <ref name="CN climate dataA">From the [http://www.met.ie/ official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701025856/http://www.met.ie/ |date=1 July 2007 }} of [[Met Éireann]]; see</ref> | float = right | clear = both }} [[Met Éireann]] records the climate data for Cavan from their station at [[Ballyhaise]]. Under [[Köppen climate classification]], Cavan experiences a maritime [[temperate]] [[oceanic climate]] with cold winters, mild humid summers, and a lack of temperature extremes. The average maximum January temperature is {{convert|8.2|°C|0|abbr=on}}, while the average maximum July temperature is {{convert|19.8|°C|0|abbr=on}}. On average, the sunniest months are May and June, while the wettest month is October with {{convert|104.4|mm|0|abbr=on}} of rain, and the driest months are May and June with {{convert|67.8|mm|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|67.9|mm|0|abbr=on}} respectively. Humidity is high year round and rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, with the annual precipitation at Ballyhaise being {{convert|1006|mm|0|abbr=on}}

On average, snow showers occur between November and March. In the winter of 2010–11, record low temperatures for November, December and January were recorded in Cavan. In late December, the temperature at the station fell to {{convert|-15.4|°C|0|abbr=on}}, its lowest ever. On 21 December 2010, a daily maximum of {{convert|-9.4|°C|0|abbr=on}} was recorded at Ballyhaise, the lowest daily maximum ever recorded in Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/tuesday-coldest-day-ever-recorded-in-ireland-1.689138|title=Tuesday coldest day ever recorded in Ireland|first=Steven|last=Carroll|newspaper=[[The Irish Times]]|date=24 December 2010|access-date=3 January 2021|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130013658/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/tuesday-coldest-day-ever-recorded-in-ireland-1.689138|url-status=live}}</ref> Summer daytime temperatures range between {{convert|15|°C|0|abbr=on}} and {{convert|22|°C|0|abbr=on}}, with temperatures rarely going beyond {{convert|25|°C|0|abbr=on}}. The average annual sunshine hours range between 1,300 hours in the north to 1,500 hours in the south.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/climate/monthly-weather-bulletin.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061014173635/http://www.met.ie/climate/monthly-weather-bulletin.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 October 2006|title=Monthly Weather Bulletin - Met Éireann - The Irish Meteorological Service Online|date=14 October 2006}}</ref>

==Subdivisions== ===Baronies=== There are eight historic [[Barony (Ireland)|baronies]] in the county. While baronies continue to be officially defined units, they are no longer used for many administrative purposes. Their official status is illustrated by Placenames Orders made since 2003, where official Irish names of baronies are listed under "Administrative units".

* [[Castlerahan]] (''Caisleán Raithin'') see [[Virginia, County Cavan]] * [[Clankee]] (''Clann Chaoich'') * [[Clanmahon]] (''Clann Mhathúna'') * [[Loughtee Lower]] (''Lucht Tí Íochtarach'') * [[Loughtee Upper]] (''Lucht Tí Uachtarach'') – whose chief town, Cavan, is also the [[county town]] * [[Tullygarvey]] (''Teallach Ghairbhíth'') * [[Tullyhaw]] (''Teallach Eathach'') – the largest in the county at {{convert|89852|acre|km2}} * [[Tullyhunco]] (''Teallach Dhúnchadha'')

===Civil parishes and townlands=== {{Main|List of townlands of County Cavan}} Townlands are the smallest officially defined geographical divisions in Ireland. There are approximately 1979 townlands in the county.

===Towns and villages=== {{div col|colwidth=19em}} * [[Arvagh]] * [[Bailieborough]] * [[Ballinagh]] * [[Ballyconnell]] * [[Ballyhaise]] * [[Ballyjamesduff]] * [[Bawnboy]] * [[Belturbet]] * [[Blacklion]] * [[Butlersbridge]] * [[Canningstown]] * [[Cavan]] * [[Cootehill]] * [[Crossdoney]] * [[Dowra]] * [[Glangevlin]] * [[Kilcogy]] * [[Killeshandra]] * [[Kilnaleck]] * [[Kingscourt]] * [[Lough Gowna]] * [[Milltown, County Cavan|Milltown]] * [[Mountnugent]] * [[Mullagh, County Cavan|Mullagh]] * [[Redhills, County Cavan|Redhills]] * [[Shercock]] * [[Stradone, County Cavan|Stradone]] * [[Swanlinbar]] * [[Virginia, County Cavan|Virginia]] {{div col end}}

=== Largest towns (2022) === {{Main|List of towns and villages in County Cavan by population}} # [[Cavan]] – 11,741 # [[Virginia, County Cavan|Virginia]] – 3,211 # [[Bailieborough]] – 2,974 # [[Kingscourt]] – 2,955 # [[Ballyjamesduff]] – 2,917 # [[Cootehill]] – 1,856 # [[Mullagh, County Cavan|Mullagh]] – 1,651 # [[Belturbet]] – 1,610 # [[Ballyconnell]] – 1,422

==History== [[File:Clogh Oughter Castle Cavan Ireland geograph 1405851 by Oliver Dixon.jpg|thumb|left|[[Cloughoughter Castle]]]] From around the thirteenth century the area (Cavan) was part of the [[petty kingdom]] of [[East Breifne|East Bréifne]] anglicized Breffny O'Reilly after its then ruling Gaelic family. This in turn was the east division [[Kingdom of Bréifne]]. For this reason the county is colloquially known as the Breffni County.<ref>[http://ulster.gaa.ie/county/cavan/ Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Uladh] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611222922/http://ulster.gaa.ie/county/cavan/ |date=11 June 2011 }}. Ulster.gaa.ie. Retrieved on 23 July 2013.</ref> A high degree of defense was achieved by using the natural landscape of drumlin hills and loughs. The poorly drained heavy clay soils contributed as an obstacle against invasion.

From the late twelfth century East Breifne were subjected to Norman influence and the remains of several motte and bailie fortifications are still visible, as well as the remains of stronger works such as Castlerahan and [[Clogh Oughter castle]]. The growing influence of several monastic orders in the new diocese called ''Tir Briuin Breifne'' from the mid twelfth century with abbey remains existent in locations such as Drumlane and later Trinity Island.

Historically, the ''Ui Briuin'' [[Kingdom of Breifne]] was part of the western province of [[Connacht]] ruled over by the O'Rourke clan until around 1256 when under Norman occupation the kingdom was split in half. West Breifne still ruled by O'Rourkes and East Breifni ruled by O'Reillys. During the sixteenth century in the reign of [[Queen Elizabeth I]] the county of Cavan was formed and transferred to [[Ulster]] from 1584, following the composition of Breifne. In the south, the [[Lough Sheelin]] area was part of Leinster until the late 14th century.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Under [[James VI and I]], from 1610 the [[Plantation of Ulster]] saw the settlement and origins of several new towns within the county that include Bailieborough, Cootehill, Killeshandra and Virginia. Existing towns such as Cavan and Belturbet became over time more important as trading centres. Wars during the mid-seventeenth century aimed at trying to unsettle the Plantation only led to further plantations of English and Scottish settlers into the county, bringing with them better farming methods and the beginnings of a thriving flax and linen industry.

Some areas of Cavan were hard hit by the [[Great Famine (Ireland)|Great Famine]] potato blight between 1845 and 1849. The winter of 1847 is particularly noted for the high levels of deaths nationally caused by diseases such as typhus and cholera. Several instances of eviction also occurred during the nineteenth century, with one such story where the local landlord in [[Mountnugent]] parish decided to evict over 200 people. The famous ballad "By Lough Sheelin Side" is based on this event witnessed by the local [[Catholic]] priest.

[[Edward Saunderson]], founder of the [[Ulster Unionist Council]], was born in the county. However, when the [[Irish Unionist Party]] met on 9 June 1916, the delegates from Cavan learnt that they would not be included in any "temporary exclusion of Ulster" from [[Government of Ireland Act 1914|Home Rule]]; they agreed only with very great reluctance.<ref>p154 [http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0687.pdf#page=69 WS Ref #: 687 , Witness: M.J. Curran, Rector, Irish College, Rome, 1921] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123143433/http://www.bureauofmilitaryhistory.ie/reels/bmh/BMH.WS0687.pdf#page=69 |date=23 November 2017 }}, [[Bureau of Military History]]</ref>

==Local government and national politics== [[File:Island of Ireland location map Cavan.svg|thumb|The island of Ireland, showing location of County Cavan.]]

===Local government=== {{Further|Cavan County Council}}

{| class="wikitable" |+ Results of the [[2019 Cavan County Council election]] |- !colspan=2|Party !Seats ! % of votes ! % Change since [[2014 Irish local elections|2014]] ! Seat Change |- | {{party name with colour|Fianna Fáil}} | style="text-align:right;"|8 || style="text-align:right;"| 38.9% || {{Decrease}} 1.7% || {{Increase}} 1 |- | {{party name with colour|Fine Gael}} | style="text-align:right;"|7 || style="text-align:right;"| 33.4% || {{Decrease}} 3.5% || No Change |- | {{party name with colour|Sinn Féin}} | style="text-align:right;"|1 || style="text-align:right;"| 12.4% || {{Decrease}} 5.9% || {{Decrease}} 3 |- | {{party name with colour|Labour Party (Ireland)}} | style="text-align:right;"|0 || style="text-align:right;"| 2.2% || {{Increase}} 1.6% || No Change |- | {{party name with colour|Independent politician (Ireland)}} | style="text-align:right;"|2 || style="text-align:right;"| 13.2% || {{Increase}} 9.3% || {{Increase}} 2 |}

Cavan is divided into three [[local electoral area]]s: Bailieborough-Cootehill, Ballyjamesduff-Virginia and Cavan-Belturbet, which hold 18 county council seats in total. The [[2019 Irish local elections|2019 local elections]] in Cavan had an average voter turnout of 55.5%, roughly equalling the turnout in 2014 (56.42%). The highest turnout for an electoral area was Bailieborough-Cootehill with 57.1%.

===Former districts=== It was formerly divided into the [[rural district (Ireland)|rural district]]s of Bailieborough, Bawnboy, Castlerahan, Cavan, Enniskillen No. 2, and Mullaghoran, and the [[urban district (Ireland)|urban districts]] of Cavan, Belturbet and Cootehill.<ref>{{cite web |title=1926 Census: Table 9: Population, Area and Valuation of urban and rural districts and of all towns with a population of 1,500 inhabitants or over, showing particulars of town and village population and of the number of persons per 100 acres |url=https://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/census1926results/volume1/C_1926_V1_T9.pdf |publisher=Central Statistics Office |page=19 |access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref> The rural districts were abolished in 1925.<ref>{{cite ISB|year=1925|parl=ifs|number=5|name=Local Government Act 1925|date=26 March 1925|section=3|stitle=Abolition of rural district councils|access-date=22 December 2021}}</ref> Belturbet and Cootehill were downgraded to [[town commissioners]] in 1950.<ref>{{cite ISB|type=si|year=1950|number=74|name=Belturbet Urban District (De-Urbanisation) Order 1950|date=1 April 1950}}</ref><ref>{{cite ISB|type=si|year=1950|number=75|name=Cootehil Urban District (De-Urbanisation) Order 1950|date=1 April 1950}}</ref> In 2002, the urban district of Cavan and the town commissioners of Belturbet and Cootehill became [[Town council (Ireland)|town councils]].<ref>{{cite ISB|name=[[Local Government Act 2001]]|year=2001|schedno=6|stitle=Local Government Areas (Towns)|number=37|date=21 July 2001|access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref> All town councils in Ireland were abolished in 2014.<ref>{{cite ISB|name=[[Local Government Reform Act 2014]]|year=2014|section=24|stitle=Dissolution of town councils and transfer date|number=1|date=27 January 2014|access-date=21 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cavancoco.ie/home.htm|title=Home - Cavan County Council|website=www.cavancoco.ie|access-date=3 January 2021|archive-date=19 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119171741/http://cavancoco.ie/home.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===National elections=== County Cavan is within the [[Dáil constituency]] of [[Cavan–Monaghan]], which returns five deputies.<ref name="ea-2017">{{cite ISB|year=2017|number=39|schedule=y|name=[[Electoral (Amendment) (Dáil Constituencies) Act 2017]]|date=23 December 2017|access-date=22 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718205639/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2017/act/39/schedule/enacted/en/html|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> This constituency was created in 1977, replacing the constituency of [[Cavan (Dáil constituency)|Cavan]], which had been in existence from 1921. From 2016 to 2020, the area of West Cavan was within the constituency of [[Sligo–Leitrim]].

===European elections=== For elections to the [[European Parliament]], the county is part of the [[Midlands–North-West]] constituency.<ref>{{cite ISB|year=2019|number=7|section=7|stitle=Substitution of Third Schedule to Principal Act|name=European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Act 2019|date=12 March 2019|access-date=21 December 2021}}</ref>

==Places of interest== {{See also|List of National Monuments in County Cavan}} * [[Cabra Castle]] * [[Castle Saunderson]] * [[Cavan Cathedral|Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Felim]] * [[Cavan County Museum]] * [[Cloughoughter Castle]] * [[Drumlane|Drumlane Monastery]] * [[Killeshandra]] Church of the Rath * [[Magh Slécht]] * [[St Fethlimidh's Cathedral, Kilmore|Saint Fethlimidh's Cathedral]] * [[Saint Kilian]] Heritage Centre

===Natural attractions=== * [[Cuilcagh]] * [[Dún na Rí Forest Park]] * [[Killykeen Forest Park]] * [[Lough Sheelin]] * [[Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark]] * [[Rockfield Lake]] * [[Shannon-Erne Waterway]]

==Transport==

===Road=== Two national primary routes pass through the county, The [[N3 road (Ireland)|N3 road]] and the [[N16 road (Ireland)|N16 road]]. The N3 is the longest route in Cavan, crossing the county for {{convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on}} from the Meath border at Whitegate near Virginia and through [[Belturbet]] into [[County Fermanagh|Fermanagh]]. The N16 begins in [[Sligo]] and ends at [[Blacklion]] in the far northwestern tip of Cavan, it crosses the county for roughly {{convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}}.

Three national secondary routes pass through the county. The [[N87 road (Ireland)|N87 road]] begins in Belturbet and passes through [[Ballyconnell]] and [[Swanlinbar]] before crossing into [[County Fermanagh]] where it becomes the A32. The [[N54 road (Ireland)|N54]] route from Monaghan and Clones joins the N3 at [[Butlersbridge]]. The [[N55 road (Ireland)|N55]] links [[Cavan]] to [[Athlone]] via Ballinagh and Granard.

[[Bus Éireann]] provide bus services to villages and towns across the county, including a direct route from [[Cavan]] to [[Dublin Airport]].

===Rail=== In the mid-1850s the [[Midland Great Western Railway]] built a line between the Inny Junction in County Westmeath (along their expanding network which was eventually to reach [[Sligo]]) and Cavan town. The first railway station to open in Cavan, was [[Cavan railway station]] in 1856. Many notable railway stations were built in the 19th century such as [[Kingscourt railway station]] and the [[Cavan and Leitrim Railway]]. The railways were an important part of the economic development of Cavan and carried passengers and freight to all over [[Ireland]]. The railways also helped the popularity of [[Gaelic Athletic Association|GAA]] in Cavan grow, spectators could travel easily between towns.

After [[World War II]], due to the shortage of [[coal]] in the country, uneconomic lines were terminated. In 1947 all passenger services were terminated though the transport of freight and livestock continued. The [[Great Northern Railway (Ireland)|Great Northern Railway]] (G.N.R.) continued to serve the [[Cavan and Leitrim Railway]]. However, in 1959 all services along the remaining rail lines were terminated and the stations along their routes were closed.

[[Belturbet railway station]] is open as a railway museum.

===Water=== In the historical context and before water levels in lakes were lowered, water transport in the region was once very important through the complex of lakes and waterways that fed into the major river systems such as the Erne, Shannon and Boyne. Today however this is mainly confined to leisure craft on the [[River Erne]] and [[Shannon-Erne Waterway]] from Belturbet and Ballyconnell as well as for angling activities. Cavan also has 365 lakes all around, one for everyday of the year.

==Sport==  In [[Gaelic football]], the dominant sport in the county, [[Cavan GAA]] competes annually in the [[All-Ireland Senior Football Championship]], which it has won 5 times, between 1933 and 1952. The team is currently in division 2 of the [[National Football League (Ireland)|National Football League]]. Cavan was the only county in Ireland without a senior [[hurling]] team, the county board having discontinued the team in 2011. The sport was on the decline and the senior team was disbanded to promote Hurling at junior level. Cavan's senior hurling team was reformed in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Duffy|first=Emma|title=The one county that were without a senior hurling team: Cavan reignite the flame|date=30 April 2017|url=https://www.the42.ie/cavan-hurling-feature-return-3363950-Apr2017/|access-date=28 July 2020|publisher=[[The42]]|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304131039/https://www.the42.ie/cavan-hurling-feature-return-3363950-Apr2017/|url-status=live}}</ref> They compete in division 3B of the [[National Hurling League]] and in the [[Lory Meagher Cup]].

The first GAA club founded in Cavan was [[Ballyconnell]] in 1885. However the club didn't affiliate to GAA Central Council until March 1886 so that can be taken as the founding of the GAA in Cavan and Ulster.<ref>[http://www.cavangaa.ie/First-Club.html - Cavan GAA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721122837/http://www.cavangaa.ie/First-Club.html |date=21 July 2011 }}</ref> The most successful club in Cavan is [[Cornafean GAA|Cornafean]] with 20 [[Cavan Senior Football Championship|Senior Football Championship]] titles, their last title was won in 1956. [[Ramor United GFC|Ramor United]] are the current senior football champions. No team from Cavan has ever won a [[All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship|national]] or [[Ulster Senior Club Football Championship|provincial title]].

There are several [[Athletics (sport)|athletics]] club and facilities in Cavan, including a 300m [[Tartan track]] in [[Shercock]]. There are five athletics clubs in the county, including [[Cavan|Annalee AC]], [[Bailieborough|Bailieborough AC]], [[Crosserlough|Innyvale AC]], [[Laragh, County Cavan|Laragh AC]] and [[Shercock|Shercock AC]].

Cavan has two rugby football clubs, County Cavan R.F.C. and Virginia R.F.C., both teams compete in the Ulster qualifying leagues.

[[Fishing]] is a very popular activity in Cavan because of its complex of large rivers and lakes.

Below is a list of various sporting clubs in Cavan: {| class="wikitable" |- ! Club ! Sport ! League |- | [[Cavan Gaels GAA]] | [[Gaelic Football]] | [[Cavan Senior Football Championship]] |- | [[Killinkere]] | [[Basketball]] | North East League<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.basketballireland.ie/regions/North%20Eastern/news/story.jsp?newsID=4758|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720132151/http://www.basketballireland.ie/regions/North%20Eastern/news/story.jsp?newsID=4758|url-status=dead|title=North East League|archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> |- | [[Bailieboro|Bailieboro Celtic FC]] | [[Association football]] | [[County Meath|Meath & District League]] |- | [[Mullahoran GFC|Mullahoran]] | [[Hurling]] | [[Cavan Senior Hurling Championship]] |- | County Cavan R.F.C. | [[rugby football|Rugby]] | [[Ulster Rugby]] |- | [[Bailieborough|Bailieborough AC]] | [[Athletics (sport)|Athletics]] | Cavan County Championships |- | [[Cornafean GAA]] | Gaelic football | [[Cavan Junior Football Championship]] |}

==Demographics== {{Historical populations | state = collapsed |1600|4665 |1610|8911 |1653|12001 |1659|14703 |1821|195076 |1831|227933 |1841|243158 |1851|174071 |1861|153906 |1871|140735 |1881|129476 |1891|111917 |1901|97541 |1911|91173 |1926|82452 |1936|76670 |1946|70355 |1951|66377 |1956|61740 |1961|56594 |1966|54022 |1971|52618 |1979|53720 |1981|53855 |1986|53965 |1991|52796 |1996|52944 |2002|56546 |2006|64003 |2011|73183 |2016|76176 |2022|81704 | footnote = <ref name=cso2022/><ref name=cso2016>{{cite web | url = http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=CTY31&Geog_Code=2AE19629149D13A3E055000000000001 | title = Census 2016 Sapmap Area: County Cavan | publisher = [[Central Statistics Office (Ireland)]] | access-date = 15 March 2019 | archive-date = 25 November 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201125025649/http://census.cso.ie/sapmap2016/Results.aspx?Geog_Type=CTY31&Geog_Code=2AE19629149D13A3E055000000000001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cso.ie/en/census/|title=Census - CSO - Central Statistics Office|website=CSO|access-date=21 June 2019|archive-date=13 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713033959/https://www.cso.ie/en/census/|url-status=live}}</ref> }} {{As of|2016}} Cavan had a population of 76,176,<ref name=cso2016/> a modest increase on the 2011 census. the [[2016 census of Ireland|2016 census]] reported the county's most numerous non-Irish nationalities as UK, Poland and Lithuania respectively.<ref name=cso2016/>

===Religion=== The 2016 census reported that of Cavan's 76,173 residents, 82% (62,393 people) identified as [[Roman Catholic]]. Other stated religions made up 11% of the population (8,671 people). 5% (3,904 people) stated that they followed no religion. 2% (1,209 people) did not state their religion.

[[Cavan Cathedral|The Cathedral of Saint Patrick and Saint Felim]] in Cavan town, is the seat of the Bishop of Kilmore and the mother church of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Kilmore]]. [[St Fethlimidh's Cathedral, Kilmore|St Fethlimidh's Cathedral]], near Cavan town in [[Kilmore, County Cavan|Kilmore]], is one of two cathedral churches in the Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh of the Church of Ireland. The Cavan Baptist Church is located in Oldtown and the Islamic Cultural Centre, which is primarily used as a [[mosque]], is located in Cavan town. There are two Methodist churches located in [[Ballyconnell]] and Corlespratten. There are a number of Presbyterian churches throughout the county and a restored 1800s Wesleyan Chapel in [[Bailieborough]].

==Economy== [[File:Cavan centre.jpg|thumb|left|[[Cavan|Cavan town]] is the most populous in the county]] [[Agriculture]] is the largest industry in the county, especially dairy milk processing as well as pig and beef farming. Much of Cavan's land consists of [[clay]] soils, which are rich in minerals, but heavy and poorly drained, making [[Pasture|pasture farming]] the dominant farming system in the county.<ref name="Soils ">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cavancoco.ie/cavanweb/publish/domain/cavancoco/file/development-plans/county-cavan/Appendices/Appendix%2017%20Soils.pdf|title=Cavan Co. Council, Soils}}{{Dead link|date=September 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> There is a total farmed area of {{convert|144269|ha|acre|abbr=off}} in the county, and there are approximately 219,568 cattle in Cavan. [[Lakeland Dairies|Lakeland Dairies Group]], which is based in Killeshandra and has manufacturing sites located throughout Cavan, is Ireland's second largest dairy co-operative with an annual revenue of €545 million.<ref name="Annual Report ">{{Cite web|url=http://www.lakeland.ie/annual-report-2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120903230010/http://www.lakeland.ie/annual-report-2011|url-status=dead|title=Lakeland Dairies Annual Report|archive-date=3 September 2012}}</ref>

Cavan is one of Ireland's leading counties for [[Pig|pig production]], with the county's farms raising a fifth of the national pig herd. Pig farming regulations have put pressure on the industry, which is highly dependent on affordable credit.<ref name="Anglocelt ">{{Cite web|url=http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2012/03/28/4009745-pig-farmers-face-worrying-times/|title=Anglo Celt - Pig farmers face 'worrying times'|access-date=21 July 2012|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402215025/http://www.anglocelt.ie/news/roundup/articles/2012/03/28/4009745-pig-farmers-face-worrying-times/|url-status=live}}</ref> Traditionally an agricultural economy, Cavan has since expanded in other industries, chiefly quarrying, energy production and manufacturing facilities. {{As of|September 2014}}, Cavan produced 113.14 [[Megawatt|MW]] of wind energy, on 9 windfarms. The largest wind farm was in [[Bindoo]] townland, with a capacity of 48 MW.<ref name="Irish Wind Energy ">{{cite web|url=http://www.iwea.com/index.cfm?page=bycounty&county=cavan|title=Irish Wind Energy Association - Wind Farm Details by County|access-date=17 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091238/http://www.iwea.com/index.cfm?page=bycounty&county=cavan|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Update inline|date=January 2021}} Peat cutting exists in the northwest of the county, in the [[Cuilcagh]] range. Major industries such as Quinn Quaries and Gypsum Industries are also important employers within the county. There are a number of quarries located in the county and the Quinn cement facility is located in [[Ballyconnell]].<ref name="Quinn Building Products ">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mannokbuild.com/|title=Mannok Premium Building Products | PIR + EPS Insulation | Cement | Aircrete Blocks | Rooftiles | Construction Materials|website=Mannok|access-date=3 January 2021|archive-date=16 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116135851/https://www.mannokbuild.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Average Disposable Income per Person in Cavan is €17,251, roughly €4,000 behind [[County Dublin|Dublin]], Ireland's richest county and 89.3% of the state average. The county has seen a significant drop in average disposable income since the 2006 Census.<ref name="DisposableIncome ">{{cite web|url=http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/saveselections.asp|title=Irish Counties by Disposable Income (2014)|access-date=25 February 2016|archive-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710165025/http://www.cso.ie/px/pxeirestat/Statire/SelectVarVal/saveselections.asp|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dublin 3k Ahead ">{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/dublin-3k-ahead-of-average-income-181644.html|title=Dublin €3k ahead of average income|date=27 January 2012|access-date=21 July 2012|archive-date=12 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012004849/http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/dublin-3k-ahead-of-average-income-181644.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notable people== {{unreferenced section|date=October 2020}} {{See also|Category:People from County Cavan}}  * [[Gerard Beirne]] – writer * [[Henry Brooke (writer)|Henry Brooke]] – writer * [[Charlotte Brooke]] – writer * [[Timothy J. Campbell]] – Cavan-born American lawyer and politician from New York * [[Dallán Forgaill]] (''Saint Dallán'' or ''Eochaid mac Colla'') – early Christian poet, writer, and martyr to whom the original Old Irish words of the hymn "[[Be Thou My Vision]]" are often attributed * [[Marcus Daly]] – Cavan-born American businessman known as one of the three "Copper Kings" of Butte, Montana, United States * [[Séamus Dolan]] – [[Fianna Fáil]] politician * [[Eric Dorman-Smith]] – [[British Army]] Brigadier in WWII, later member of the [[Irish Republican Army]] * [[Thomas Fitzpatrick (trapper)|Thomas "Broken-Hand" Fitzpatrick]] – famous "mountain man", U.S. Indian Agent, trailblazer and fur trapper * [[Michael Harding]] – writer * [[Margaret Jane Scott Hawthorne]] – tailor, trade unionist and factory inspector * [[Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna]] ("Yellow Cathal McElgunn") – poet, wrote the famous poem {{lang|ga|"An Bonnán Buí"}} ("The Yellow Bittern") * [[Tom MacIntyre]] – writer * [[Saint Kilian]] (640–689), missionary and martyr in [[Würzburg]], Germany; born Mullagh * [[Leona Maguire]] – professional golfer * [[Neven Maguire]] – chef and television personality, Blacklion * [[Adrian Martin (chef)]] – chef and television personality, Bawnboy * [[Owen Roe McGovern]] – former Cavan Gaelic footballer * [[Thomas McGovern (bishop)|Thomas McGovern]] – former Roman Catholic Bishop of [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]] * [[John William Nixon]] – District Inspector with both the [[Royal Irish Constabulary|R.I.C.]] and the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary|R.U.C.]] and, later, a [[Stormont Estate|Stormont]] MP. * [[Agnes O'Farrelly]] – academic, writer and political activist * [[Lisa O'Neill (singer-songwriter)|Lisa O'Neill]] – singer-songwriter<ref>{{Cite news |first=Tony |last=Clayton-Lea |title=Lisa O'Neill – Cavan's material girl |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/lisa-o-neill-cavan-s-material-girl-1.1564335 |newspaper=[[The Irish Times]] |access-date=22 February 2024 |archive-date=3 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203100557/http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/lisa-o-neill-cavan-s-material-girl-1.1564335 |url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Patrick O'Rorke]] – US Union Army colonel, killed at Gettysburg, born Cavan * [[James Owens (VC)|James Owens]] – recipient of the Victoria Cross * [[Mary Anne Sadlier]] – writer * [[Edward James Saunderson]] – [[Irish Unionism|Irish Unionist]] MP and [[Privy Council]]lor * [[Brendan Smith (politician)|Brendan Smith TD]] – former Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and former Minister for Justice and Law Reform * [[John Wilson (Irish politician)|John P. Wilson]] [[Teachta Dála|TD]] – All Ireland SFC Winner and [[Tánaiste]] from 1990 to 1993

==See also== * [[List of abbeys and priories in the Republic of Ireland#County Cavan|List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Cavan)]] * [[Lord Lieutenant of Cavan]] * [[High Sheriff of Cavan]] * [[Ralaghan Man]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category|County Cavan}} {{Wikivoyage}} {{EB1911 poster|Cavan (county)}} *{{official website}} *[http://www.cavanmuseum.ie/ Cavan County Museum] *[http://www.cavanheritage.ie/ Cavan Heritage website] *[https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20140131023842/http://www.cavancoco.ie/file/development-plans/county-cavan/Retail%20Strategy%20County%20Cavan%20and%20Cavan%20Town%20Environs.pdf Cavan County Council Retail Strategy 2008-2014] *[http://www.cavancoco.ie/development-plans Development plans for County Cavan and Cavan Town and Environs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709235049/http://www.cavancoco.ie/development-plans |date=9 July 2013 }}

{{Geographic Location |Northwest = [[County Fermanagh]][[File:Ferm arms.png|32px]] |Northeast = [[County Monaghan]] |South = [[County Westmeath]] |West = [[County Leitrim]] [[File:County Leitrim arms.svg|30px]] |Southwest = [[County Longford]] |Southeast = [[County Meath]] [[File:Meath coa.svg|30px]] |Centre = County Cavan }}

{{Ireland counties}} {{County Cavan}}{{Cavan County Council elections}}{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:County Cavan| ]] [[Category:Ulster|Cavan]] [[Category:Counties of the Republic of Ireland|Cavan]] [[Category:Local government areas of the Republic of Ireland|Cavan]]